City of Teresopolis

Wednesday, June 11

City of Teresopolis -- We went to the “slum” area of town this afternoon. This is an area that had a lot of poverty and drug issues. They said that two years ago, if we had come into this area, we would have been kidnapped, or killed or both.

The Lord has been doing a work in such a powerful way here. The drug problems have gone way down. They introduced us to several young people that have come to Christ and are now reaching out to the community. One young man was named Phillipe – a top soccer star who came to Christ and is now part of their outreach team and coaching the outreach soccer ministry About 50 kids are a part of that.

One young guy just seemed to be very special. His name was Fabio. Twenty-four years old, and now considers himself a missionary to the city. They have a Judo outreach in the school. They gave us a demonstration for us.

One of the young gals that was there was Camille. She was the girl friend of the major drug Lord in the area. She was also his runner and was highly regarded because she was so good at it. He was killed and she got saved. Now she is inviting all her former drug friends to church. When we were on the street, a couple of the guys got on their cell phones and called up the current drug lord there. They told him to come over; they had some people that wanted to pray for him. So he came over and quietly let us pray for him.

We then went to a Methodist church ( Igreja Metodista Centenario Teresopolis) that is re-doing their building to seat 1,500 – they are growing so fast in that area. We prayed in the church and for the pastor. We found out later that he had said that he wondered if anyone really cared about him – so to have leaders from around the world come and pray in his church and for him was a huge encouragement. We also went to the Baptist church – they work together and with about four other churches. They are also expanding and expecting God’s continued move.

We then headed up to their prayer mountain. A really hard climb! Very steep high steps up from the neighborhood. It was quite a climb! This hill was given by a Christian for the purpose of transformation and he sold a second piece of land to have the funds to build a transformation training center on the hill. It was a powerful time of prayer. It was so moving to see these young men, who were saved out of this neighborhood, on top of this mountain, looking out over their city, praying for their city. At one point one of our team prayed for these young men to be like David and as he was finishing his prayer, there was a meteor that came out of the sky…as a confirmation of our prayers. It was powerful experience to be with these young men.

The Transformation Process in Sabara

Monday, June 9 –

 Sabara - 

This community was really the birthplace of the city of Belo-Horizonte. Then when gold was discovered there, the outlying communities grew up and took a lot of the territory. This is considered a strategic place – it was the governmental center for this state. There was much witchcraft and sorcery, and dark Catholicism. First Baptist Church is a church plant from Lagoinha in Belo. They started with a radio station. They took the towers down some time ago. They have slowly built the church and the school that they now have. When we went there, they were in the midst of laying granite flooring. 

We met the founding pastor – his son, Ronaldo, has been showing us around during these past

 days. Ronaldo’s family was all there, a city councilman, who is a believer, and other pastors and leaders from the church. They showed us around, and showed us a couple of videos they made of the history of the church and the city. Then we prayed for them. – It was a powerful time of prayer. I was so deeply impressed by the founding pastor and his wife, and the perseverance they have had to build the church and reach the community. We prayed for Ronaldo and his wife and I was really quickened by the Lord regarding the many tears they have shed. 

Later, we prayed for the teens, and I was prompted with a word of encouragement for their daughter, Stephanie (in English) for her heart for the Lord and intimacy with Him. Another had a word about her worship and walking the globe in worship and intercession. She was in tears as were most of us. Then we had some snacks - and went up on the mountain. 

This was a lot different than the Sunday night experience. Not the heavy presence, but we did some repentance regarding the USA importing division among the churches. Later, Ronaldo sent an

 email to Bruce, stating that there had been a breakthrough among the pastors in town, and they were now committed to unity.)

 Overview of Sabara –

In 2001, the church went around the city and anointed all the entrances to the city.

In 2001 – They marched around one of the churches seven times – later their city Festival was a disaster. 

In 2002 – They had a March for Jesus, and prophesied over the land.

In 2004 – they anointed every street every three hours for 7 days.

In 2008 – There was a big accident at Carnival – a truck tipped over and killed a number of children. The mayor declared that there would be no more Carnival.

 On one highway, there had been lots of accidents – especially at one corner. The church walked the street and anointed it. Later the city made it a two-way street, and there have been no more accidents.

 In early 2008, they had a conference about conquering the city. Ronaldo developed thrombosis in his legs, and ended up in the hospital, and was supposed to be there during the conference. The Lord told the church to start walking around the church. They did that 7 times and four days later, there was not a mark on his leg and he was able to be in the conference.

 The motels in town were pretty much used for prostitution. They went to all the motels and make declarations against prostitution. They piled up 14 stones at the entrance of the hotels and anointed them. In 2003 during Carnival, they camped out in church – As they were there the Lord told them that there were principalities on each of the seven hilltops around the city. Each one had a principality that commanded over Belo Horizonte and a large part of the state. They prayed and cut those off – They saw several changes take place. Some of the principalities have stayed because of sin. They are mobilizing their people to take authority. In 2003 they went to the doors of every known drug dealer and anointed them. Each day they wake up before daybreak and cancel the sins over the city.

They made banners saying Jesus is Lord over Sabara and put them all around the city.

At 6 pm, the Catholic churches ring their bells – so as a strategy, all the Christians started singing worship songs at 6 pm

They explained that Lord gives them these strategies, as they wait on Him.

They used to have a problem with flooding. One year a pastor came from the outside and said that he saw a spirit of Leviathan in the river. They went down to the river and did some proclamations, coming against that spirit. No more floods ever since then.

 Although the Lord gives them strategies, the most important strategy is love. They started doing “Acts Day” with practical helps to the community. Luke 6:38

He has given them many strategies to love people, confront the enemy and not be afraid.

They have had 3 or 4 Acts Days – One time a woman came crying – she said she asked God that she would be able to go to a beauty salon on time in her life. She had never been able to go to a beauty salon. She was 41 years old and never been able to get her hair done. The Lord told him to go to the slum area. He said, Lord, if you want me to go, I’ll go. He went, not knowing where he was going. He took a woman to go with him. God was preparing them for that certain time.

On one Acts Day, a woman came and asked who was candidating to be a politician. She asked three times, saying if you are, I would vote for you! They replied, if you want to know who the candidate is, I’ll tell you, it is Jesus. She cried and said that this love is different when it comes from people who have love in them.

Igreja Batista Da Lagoinha

Sunday Morning, June 8th we visited Igreja Batista Da Lagoinha, The Baptist Church of Lagoinha. in the city of Belo Horizonte. You can check out their website at: http://www.lagoinha.com/
It is in Protuguese, of course.

This is a church of about 35,000 with four services every Sunday. The sanctuary is in the round and about three stories. Before the worship service began, they had a baptismal service. The baptistry was way up high above the platform. Quite impressive. they must have baptized about five people.

The worship service was energetic and powerful. The worship was led by their worship leader, Ana Paula Valadao. She is one of the most popular worship leaders in Brazil, and her worship is really prophetic worship in nature. She has had worship gatherings that have had one million plus in attendance. Here is a link where you can check out one in Rio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74K8RKbsegQ&feature=related

The worship service ended with an invitation. As the people came forward, counselors were with them and they were led in a prayer of salvation. As they ended the prayer, people in the sanctuary let down banners saying, "Welcome to the family of God."

It was a great example of the power and vibrancy of the Brazilian church. Personally, I'm ready to go back...wish I could have that kind of worship all the time!

Check out the video of the worship service. Don't mind the "tourists" taking pictures...